China News Service, Beijing, March 9th: Why can the elderly group "enjoy old age" in a diverse way?

　　China News Service reporter

　　In travel agencies, the elderly have become the main group tourists; in universities for the elderly, "silver-haired people" are eager to "learn"; in the job market, new professions such as medical attendants and long-term caregivers have emerged.

In the context of population aging, how to allow the elderly to enjoy aging in a diverse way sparked heated discussions among representatives during this year's National Two Sessions.

　　Data recently disclosed by the online travel platform Qunar shows that after the Spring Festival, the number of "silver-haired" tourists over 55 years old increased significantly.

Many scenic spots in Guizhou are ushering in "sunset tours". Faced with the strong travel demand of the elderly, Huang Xingwen, a representative of the National People's Congress and governor of Qianxinan Prefecture in Guizhou Province, believes that various scenic spots should improve infrastructure construction, optimize facilities for the elderly, and create a comprehensive Barrier-free senior tourism environment.

　　Wang Yajun, deputy to the National People's Congress and mayor of Chengde City, Hebei Province, introduced that Chengde has specially created a number of health care bases and health care residence products that integrate rehabilitation and health care, leisure and health care, etc., and launched free experience check-in for people over 60 years old in Beijing and Tianjin. Admission discounts and exemptions for scenic spots and other measures are used to attract elderly people in Beijing and Tianjin to take care of themselves.

　　While yearning for distant places, the elderly also do not forget to enrich their spiritual life.

As a result, senior universities became popular.

　　Meng Yan, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, deputy director of the Culture and Arts Committee of the Beijing Municipal Party Committee for Democracy, and director of the Art and Sports Center of Beijing No. 2 Middle School, believes that China's current education for the elderly mainly relies on universities or schools for the elderly, with a single form of education and a narrow curriculum coverage.

She suggested vigorously establishing an open university for the elderly, promoting distance education for the elderly, actively developing teaching content, and combining face-to-face learning, experiential learning, online learning, reading clubs, lectures, study tours, and volunteer services.

　　Li Li, a representative of the National People's Congress and an employee of Hubei Daye Nonferrous Metals Group Holdings Co., Ltd., hopes to bridge the "digital divide" for the elderly.

During her research, she found that with the digitization of televisions, one TV is often equipped with two or three remote controls, which must be rotated to access channels, which is a troublesome thing for the elderly who spend their time watching TV.

She suggested providing barrier-free access to electricity and providing an information barrier-free environment for the elderly, disabled and other groups.

　　As the proportion of the elderly population increases, the demand for elderly care also increases.

Huang Shouhong, head of the government work report drafting group and director of the Research Office of the State Council, revealed at a briefing held by the State Council Information Office on the 5th that the potential talent demand for nursing staff is more than 10 million, but now there are only more than 300,000.

　　To enrich the relevant talent pool so that the elderly can receive better care, Li Longti, deputy to the National People's Congress and deputy director of Taihe Hospital in Shiyan City, Hubei Province, said that the current nursing talent team has problems such as weak professional capabilities and low social recognition. It is recommended that nursing Professional colleges and universities have opened majors such as elderly care and chronic disease care so that the elderly can receive more efficient and professional care; at the same time, salary incentive policies must also be used to "protect" talents.

“With the support of high-quality talents, we will be more confident in developing a silver economy.” (End)

　　(Written by: Wu Yili, participating reporters: Li Yusu, Jiang Feibo, Zhou Yanling)